Great Lakes Issues

The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes contain nearly 20 percent of the earth’s surface freshwater, providing drinking water to more than 40 million people. A 2007 Brookings Institution report determined that a healthy, restored Great Lakes could generate $50 billion in long-term economic benefits for the region. These benefits would be enjoyed by the businesses and industry that use water for commerce, as well as by beachgoers, naturalists, boaters, anglers and homeowners.

Threats to the Great Lakes today are many, and range from pollution and invasive species to wasteful water use and global warming. All demand our attention and commitment.

Invading Carp

The leaping, jumbo-sized Asian carp is today's poster child for the threat posed by Great Lakes invaders.

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is on the forefront of change.

The Alliance is at the forefront of predicting and preventing damage to the lakes from critical threats such as the continuing influx of invasive species, drinking water contamination and outmoded energy production.

We work to ensure that local, state and federal agencies use their authority to restore and protect water quality. Some of our local efforts include:

• Collaborating with agencies, municipalities and businesses to develop strong policies, standards and laws that predict new threats to the Great Lakes and other actions.
• Holding public and private interests accountable for actions that affect Great Lakes’ health, and enforcing the law as necessary.
• Educating the region's residents so they can participate in important decisions affecting their health and that of their families.

At the Alliance, we understand that you have the most important role to play in ensuring the protection of the Great Lakes. Click on the links at left to discover what’s affecting our environment, how the Alliance is combating the threats and how you can help.